Chapter 116: A VIVIAN IN VIVIAN

VIVIAN

Vega stared at the woman lying on top of him.

They laid together, neither of them moved.

Vivian’s arms were still wrapped tightly around his waist, and her cheek rested against his chest. She could hear his heartbeat, and for some inexplicable reason, the sound made her smile.

Goodness! Even his heartbeat sounds handsome.

Vega, on the other hand, was experiencing an entirely different emotion.

Shock. Absolute shock.

He had been minding his own business when Vivian suddenly charged toward him, threw her arms around him, and sent them both crashing to the floor.

And now she was hugging him as though they had been separated for a hundred years.

What exactly was happening?

"Vivian ," he called.

Vivian didn’t respond. "Are you okay?"

She tightened her arms around his waist. Vega’s eyebrows twitched. "Could you please get off me?"

Vivian lifted her head. Their eyes met. She simply stared at him, admiring his perfectly sculpted face.

she smiled. "You’re even more handsome up close!"

Vega went completely still. What? Before he could process her words, Vivian rested her head against his chest again.

"Let me stay like this for a little longer."

Vega’s expression darkened. "Excuse me?"

He placed his hands against her shoulders and attempted to push her away.

Vivian immediately tightened her hold. "Wait! Why are you pushing me?"

"Because you’re lying on top of me!"

"So?"

Vega stared at her as though she had suddenly grown another head. "So? Do you think this is appropriate?"

Vivian blinked. Then she looked around the room.

Only then did she seem to realize that they were lying on the floor of a mansion, with a robot standing nearby and watching them.

She looked back at Vega.

"Oh."

A second passed. Then she smiled again. "Well, we could have met under more romantic circumstances."

Vega nearly choked. Romantic?

He had never met a female so inappropriate like this before.

"Get. Off. Me!!"

His voice was cold enough to freeze water. Vivian finally loosened her arms.

When she attempted to stand, she accidentally stepped on the edge of his coat and stumbled forward again.

Vega closed his eyes.

He was beginning to regret waking up that morning.

"Careful!" Vivian exclaimed.

She grabbed his shoulders to steady herself.

Unfortunately, the movement only made him lose his balance further.

"Vivian!!!" He lost his temper.

"I’m sorry! I’m sorry!"

After another brief struggle, Vivian managed to stand upright. She hurriedly stepped away and straightened her clothes.

Vega remained on the floor, looking thoroughly displeased.

Vivian clasped her hands together.

"I sincerely apologize for my manners. I didn’t mean to knock you down."

Vega studied her face.

Her apology sounded genuine enough.

He let out a quiet breath.

"It’s fine."

Vivian brightened.

"Really?"

"Yes."

"You’re not angry with me?"

Vega looked at her.

"Should I be?"

She considered the question.

Then she laughed awkwardly.

"Well, I suppose knocking someone to the floor isn’t exactly the best way to introduce yourself."

"That’s an understatement."

Vivian scratched the back of her head.

"I’m sorry. My shoes slipped."

She glanced down at her feet.

The military boots she wore were sturdy, heavy, and entirely unsuitable for someone who had just decided to run across a room at full speed.

"Honestly, I hate these boots," she complained. "They’re so uncomfortable. I don’t know why anyone would willingly wear them."

Vega’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Military boots?

He had noticed her strange behaviour, but that comment added another piece to the puzzle.

Before he could question her, Vivian continued.

"Next time, I’ll wear something more comfortable. Perhaps some beautiful heels."

She looked at him expectantly.

"Do you think heels would suit me?"

Vega said nothing.

He was beginning to suspect that the woman before him had absolutely no sense of danger.

Or embarrassment, or perhaps both.

"Robot," he called.

The machine immediately approached.

"Yes, Master Vega?"

"Help me up."

"Understood."

The robot moved toward Vega and carefully assisted him into an upright position.

Vivian watched the process.

At first, she thought nothing of it.

Then the robot turned toward a nearby doorway.

A moment later, another mechanical unit emerged, pushing a sleek wheelchair.

The wheelchair stopped directly in front of Vega.

He reached for the armrests.

The robot helped him settle into the seat.

Vivian froze.

Her smile vanished.

She stared at the wheelchair.

Then at Vega.

Then back at the wheelchair.

Her mouth slowly fell open.

Wait.

Wait a minute.

He needs a wheelchair?

Her eyes widened.

He’s... a cripple?

The thought escaped her before she could stop it.

Vega’s fingers paused against the armrest.

He slowly lifted his gaze toward her.

Their eyes met.

The atmosphere in the room changed instantly.

Vivian felt a chill run down her spine.

Those eyes.

They were no longer merely cold.

They were dangerous.

"What did you just call me?" Vega asked quietly.

Vivian’s heart skipped a beat.

"I...I.."

She swallowed.

"I didn’t say anything."

Vega continued staring at her.

"Really?"

She nodded vigorously.

"Absolutely!"

He looked away.

"Robot, take me to my study."

"Yes, Master Vega."

The machine began pushing his wheelchair toward the corridor.

Vivian watched him leave, her mind racing.

Oh, my goodness!

He’s disabled!

She pressed a hand against her mouth.

And I just threw myself on top of him!

Her cheeks burned.

What kind of first impression had she made?

She had wanted to look charming.

Elegant.

Perhaps a little irresistible.

Instead, she had knocked the man to the floor and nearly crushed him with her enthusiasm.

Vivian groaned.

"I need to disappear."

Then she looked toward the corridor.

Her curiosity returned almost immediately.

But why is he using a wheelchair? Was he born that way? Did he suffer an injury? Can he walk at all?

She bit her lower lip.

There were so many questions.

Unfortunately, the expression on Vega’s face had made it very clear that asking them would be a terrible idea.

Vivian quickly turned toward the robot.

"Hey! Wait for me!"

She hurried after it.

A Luxurious Room

The robot led Vivian down a long corridor before stopping in front of a magnificent door.

"Miss Vivian, this will be your room."

Vivian stared at the door.

Then she looked at the robot.

"My room?"

"Yes."

She pushed the door open.

And immediately forgot everything else.

"Oh. My. Goodness!"

The room was enormous.

A massive bed occupied the centre, its soft blankets arranged neatly against a collection of decorative pillows. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the gardens, allowing sunlight to flood the room.

There was a private sitting area, a dressing room, and a bathroom that looked larger than the entire cave where she had awakened.

A crystal chandelier hung above the bed.

The walls were decorated with elegant artwork, and a beautiful carpet covered the polished floor.

Vivian slowly stepped inside.

Her eyes sparkled.

"This is mine?"

"Yes, Miss Vivian."

She turned toward the robot.

"You’re not joking?"

"I do not possess the programming necessary to engage in that form of deception."

Vivian burst out laughing.

"You’re funny!"

The robot remained silent.

She didn’t care.

She ran toward the bed and threw herself onto it.

"AHHH!"

The mattress swallowed her in a cloud of softness.

Vivian bounced.

Then bounced again.

She rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling.

"This is heaven!"

She sprang to her feet, jumped onto the mattress again, and laughed like a child who had just received every present on her birthday wish list.

She loved luxury.

She loved beautiful things.

And she especially loved comfortable beds.

After spending time in a cave, she was prepared to worship whoever had provided this magnificent room.

She rolled across the bed, grabbed a pillow, and hugged it tightly.

"I could live here forever!"

Then she jumped down and ran toward the windows.

The gardens outside were beautiful.

She could see the fountain, the flower beds, and a small pavilion near the edge of the property.

Everything was perfect.

She turned around and surveyed the room again.

"Now this is how people should live!"

She walked into the dressing room.

Rows of clothing filled the wardrobes.

Vivian’s eyes nearly fell out of their sockets.

There were dresses.

Shoes, accessories.

And more clothes than she had seen in years.

She touched a beautiful dress hanging near the entrance.

"Mine?"

"These items have been prepared for your use," the robot replied.

Vivian hugged the dress. "I love this house!"

The robot watched her silently for a moment.

Then it turned toward the door.

"I shall leave you to settle in. Please contact the household system if you require assistance."

Vivian waved at it.

"Goodbye, little fellow!"

The robot exited the room.

The door closed. Silence descended.

Vivian stood in the middle of the room, still smiling.

Then something inside her consciousness stirred.

A familiar presence emerged from the depths of her mind.

The smile on Vivian’s face slowly disappeared.

Before she could react, a furious voice exploded inside her head.

"YOU!"

Vivian flinched.

"HOW DID YOU TAKE OVER HER BODY?"

Her eyes widened.

Then her expression twisted with irritation.

"Oh, for goodness’ sake! Not you again!"

Inside the depths of her consciousness, Beeny appeared.

Her face was pale with fury, and her fists were clenched so tightly that her knuckles had turned white.

She looked as though she wanted to tear Vivian apart with her bare hands.

"Answer me!" Beeny screamed. "How did you take over her body?"